Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area September 2020 Edition Acknowledgement of Country

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 for the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area September 2020 edition Acknowledgement of Country

Sunshine Coast Council acknowledges the traditional Country of the Kabi Kabi Peoples and the Jinibara Peoples of the coastal plains and hinterlands of the Sunshine Coast and recognise that these have always been places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the Sunshine Coast community.

Sunshine Coast Council is committed to ongoing communications and consultation with the Traditional Owners and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of the Sunshine Coast in the implementation of the strategy.

2 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 for the Sunshine Coast Council area September 2020 edition

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 3 September 2020 edition.

sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au T 07 5475 7272 F 07 5475 7277 Locked Bag 72 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560

Disclaimer Information contained in this document is based on available information at the time of writing. All figures and diagrams are indicative only and should be referred to as such. While the Sunshine Coast Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. Council or its officers accept no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon any material contained in this document.

Acknowledgements Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.

Image credits Cover photo: Bells Creek | Suzane Jones

Pages 4/5 photo: Osprey | Jack Tindall

Page 18 photo: Cambroon-Curramore CHA | Owen Foley.

4 Sunshine Coast Council Biodiversity Report 2020 Contents

A strategic pathway to a healthy environment and liveable Sunshine Coast 6

What is the Biodiversity Report? 7

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Snapshot 8

Tracking our progress 9

Sunshine Coast biodiversity results 10

Our vegetation 10

Our conservation estate 16

Our native plants and animals 18

Our habitat areas 19

Our catchments’ biodiversity results 22

Maroochy River catchment 24

Mooloolah River catchment 26

Pumicestone Passage catchment 28

Mary River catchment 30

Upper Stanley River catchment 32

Glossary 34

Sunshine Coast Council Biodiversity Report 2020 5 A strategic pathway to a healthy environment and liveable Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is known for its outstanding landscapes, natural assets and enviable lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy natural environment is critical to supporting our economy and community.

Council’s Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS) provides a framework to deliver a healthy environment and liveable Sunshine Coast by 2041. Our biodiversity is an integral part of the Sunshine Coast’s natural environment, that’s why it’s so important to protect our native plants and animals and distinct landscapes.

The ELS target for biodiversity is to maintain the 2016 extent of native vegetation (no net loss) by 2041.

The baseline target extent of 124,283 hectares of native vegetation was informed by the 2016 Biodiversity Report.

The Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report (2020 edition) supports the strategic direction set by the ELS and assists Council to report on its biodiversity assets and progress towards meeting its target of no net loss of native vegetation.

The Natural Environment

Biodiversity Waterways and Wetlands Coastal Waterways and wetlands are the living The coast is the tidal foreshore and Biodiversity is the variety arteries of our natural environment that adjacent areas that include the of all life – plants, animals convey or hold water in the landscape. built and natural environments. The and microorganisms, their They support a wide range of defining natural features incorporate habitats that are home to specialised the coastal plains, dunes, open genes and the ecosystems and diverse wildlife including fish, beaches, rocky foreshore, estuaries, they inhabit. crustaceans and shellfish, water birds, near-shore marine waters, reefs and frogs, turtles and aquatic mammals. coastal lagoons.

Outcome 2041 Outcome 2041 Outcome 2041 Our native plants, animals and Waterways and wetlands are healthy, Our coastal areas are healthy, habitats are healthy, resilient and resilient to change and valued by resilient to climate change impacts the community. and support sustainable use. valued by the community.

Target 2041 Maintain the 2016 extent of native vegetation (not net loss) by 2041.

6 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 What is the Biodiversity Report?

The Biodiversity Report provides valuable data on the Sunshine Coast Council area’s biodiversity assets, to inform biodiversity network planning and delivery of conservation outcomes.

To manage terrestrial biodiversity These four key considerations make The Report is complemented by a at a landscape scale within the up the reporting categories of the Technical Background Report which local government area, the focus Biodiversity Report, represented in provides detailed descriptions of is on our core habitat areas. The Figure 1. the datasets and methods used Sunshine Coast Council area has for each reporting category and The Biodiversity Report 2020 (the a range of different vegetation the comprehensive results for the Report) provides a ‘snap-shot’ communities that contribute to these local government area and major of the local government area’s habitat areas that also support river catchments. This includes the biodiversity assets through these threatened plants and animals results for the small portion of the established reporting categories. species. Parts of our habitat areas Noosa River catchment within the The results are presented at a local are managed in the conservation local government area. government area and major river estate, where properties are either catchment scale. protected by National Parks, Nature Refuges, Council reserves and statutory covenants or through voluntary programs such as Land for Wildlife. Figure 1: Key reporting categories for biodiversity

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 7 8 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Sunshine CoastBiodiversity Report 9 * The increase in non-remnant vegetation includes both naturally regrowing and expanding existing vegetation as well as active revegetation being undertaken by the state, council and community through a range of different rehabilitation and restoration programs and initiatives. Sunshine Coast biodiversity results

Our vegetation The Sunshine Coast is recognised for its rich biodiversity which is supported in natural bushland areas in both rural and urban landscapes, across the local government area’s 228,475 hectare extent.

The Biodiversity Report uses a combination of vegetation datasets including the Queensland Government’s Regional Ecosystem mapping (referred to as remnant vegetation) and Council’s local fine-scale vegetation (referred to as non-remnant vegetation). Combined, these two datasets make up the Sunshine Coast Council area’s native vegetation extent.

Approximately 55% of our council area has native vegetation cover.

The native vegetation comprises: 74% remnant and 26% non-remnant vegetation.

12% of our native vegetation occurs in urban areas.

Table 1: Sunshine Coast Council area remnant and non-remnant vegetation

Vegetation extent (ha) Urban* area Rural area Total area Sunshine Coast Council area 40,082 188,393 228,475 Remnant vegetation 7992 84,574 92,566 Non-remnant vegetation 7101 25,205 32,306 Combined remnant and non-remnant vegetation 15,093 109,779 124,872 No vegetation 24,989 78,614 103,603

*Urban includes Urban Footprint and Rural Living Areas as defined by the ShapingSEQ - South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017.

The landscape and character of the Sunshine Coast is the essence of the region and helps define our identity and culture. Our native vegetation along with agriculture, horticulture and recreational lands provides the ‘green frame’ that seperates our neighbourhoods and town centres, contributing to our community of communities.

10 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Map 1: Sunshine Coast Council area remnant and non-remnant vegetation

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 11 Our vegetation communities Regional ecosystem mapping is a Queensland Government developed method of identifying, classifying and describing the state’s diverse range of vegetation communities.

A Regional Ecosystem (RE) refers to a distinct vegetation community distinguished by dominant canopy tree species that occur in association with a particular combination of geology, soil and landform in a specific bioregion in Queensland. The RE dataset also includes a pre-European vegetation layer known as pre-clearing regional ecosystems. The remnant and pre-clearing datasets were used to help classify Council’s native vegetation data into broad vegetation communities.

Before European settlement the Sunshine Coast Council area had 225,471 hectares of remnant vegetation. Today we have 92,566 hectares or 41% of what previously occurred here.

Our remnant and non-remnant vegetation is made up of 75 regional ecosystems which are grouped into the following six broad vegetation communities:

Foredune – The area directly behind the beach running parallel to the coastline supports a unique mix of plants including spinifex, casuarina and pandanus. These habitats are critical for many coastal raptor species and other marine and terrestrial animals.

Mangrove and Saltmarsh – Intertidal communities of plants that grow on the foreshore of coastal lakes and estuaries. These plants are adapted to salty conditions and are ecologically important areas that link the land to the sea, providing productive habitat for a range of species including migratory shorebirds.

Heath and Wallum – Coastal communities of specialised plant species occurring on nutrient poor sandy soils inland from the foredune ecosystems. Some of these ecosystems are unique to south-east Queensland and support iconic species such as banksias, hakeas, and the ground parrot.

Melaleuca and Casuarina – Commonly known as paper-barks and she-oaks these communities thrive in the seasonally inundated wetland, coastal floodplain and riparian areas along waterways. These communities can be some of the most diverse ecosystems supporting a range of associated plant and animal species.

Eucalypt – Australia’s most widely distributed group of plants and considered iconic to our identity. The Sunshine Coast is home to more than 50 eucalypt species (including species with genera other than eucalypt but identified as ‘gum trees’) occurring across such a diverse range of environments from coastal floodplains, foredune and riparian ecosystems to elevated mountainous areas on volcanic and sandstone soils.

Rainforest – Typically considered to be the most diverse and complex of all the vegetation communities, subject to high levels of rainfall and occurring in the wetter gullies, along waterways and wetland areas. The rainforest areas in south-east Queensland and the Sunshine Coast are unique supporting a myriad of significant plant and animal species, most notable among these are the diverse range of bird and frog species.

12 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Map 2: Sunshine Coast Council area vegetation communities

Table 2: Sunshine Coast Council area vegetation communities

Remnant vegetation Non-remnant* Number Pre-clearing Current extent Loss (%) Current extent of REs extent (ha) (ha) (ha) Sunshine Coast Council area 75 225,471 92,566 59 32,306 Mangrove and Saltmarsh 2 2328 2106 10 55 Foredune 2 628 334 47 54 Heath and Wallum 15 8270 2900 65 517 Melaleuca and Casuarina 10 28,999 8956 71 3614 Vegetation Vegetation community Eucalypt 36 146,009 61,511 58 20,640 Rainforest 10 39,237 16,759 57 7343 *Non-remnant vegetation has been grouped under the broad vegetation communities using pre-clearing regional ecosystems.

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 13 What is the conservation significance of our remnant vegetation? The Commonwealth and State governments have slightly different ways of identifying and determining a vegetation community’s conservation status. This is largely due to the scale and geographic area being managed. At both levels, there is interest in understanding the health or extent of decline of vegetation communities in order to drive management strategies to deliver biodiversity conservation outcomes.

National conservation significance The Commonwealth Government identify, describe and list threatened ecological communities under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC). EPBC listed threatened ecological communities occurring in Queensland use diagnostic regional ecosystems to describe that community. The Sunshine Coast has three EPBC listed threatened ecological communities which includes 13 regional ecosystems.

1 1 1 Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable Lowland Rainforest Coastal Swamp Oak (Casuarina Subtropical and Temperate of Sub-tropical Australia glauca) Forest of NSW and SEQ Coastal Saltmarsh 9 2 2 Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystems

State conservation significance The Queensland Government uses the Vegetation Management Act 1999 regional ecosystem framework to identify and describe the conservation status of a regional ecosystem. The regional ecosystem pre-clearing (or prior to European settlement) extent data is used to calculate how much of a regional ecosystem extent remains. According to the Queensland Government’s conservation status classification, almost 50% of the Sunshine Coast Council area’s regional ecosystems are threatened or in significant decline.

7 29 39 Endangered Of Concern Least Concern Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystems Less than 10% of its Less than 30% of its pre-clearing Less than 30% of its pre-clearing extent remaining extent remaining pre-clearing extent remaining

10 of the 15 Heath and Wallum regional ecosystems are Of Concern. Four of the seven Endangered regional ecosystems are Eucalypt communities.

14 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 15 Our conservation estate Some of our habitat areas are managed within the conservation estate, which represents a network of lands where biodiversity is conserved through ‘protected’ and ‘voluntary’ mechanisms.

Protected and voluntary conservation areas include: • State National Parks and Conservation Parks. • Council Environment Reserves (some of which are gazetted under the Nature Conservation Act 1992). • Private Nature Refuges gazetted under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. • Statutory covenants (voluntary or non-voluntary private freehold land) • Registered Land for Wildlife properties (no legally-binding protection mechanism applied to the land).

The conservation estate preserves 46% (57,404 hectares) of our native vegetation. 70 regional ecosystems and all six vegetation communities are represented in the ‘protected areas’. State protected native vegetation constitutes 70% (40,375 hectares) of the conservation estate’s native vegetation including 60 regional ecosystems represented. Council manages 733 reserves containing 6143 hectares of native vegetation including 57 regional ecosystems.

Table 3: Sunshine Coast conservation estate and native vegetation extents

Conservation Number of Total area (ha) Remnant Non-remnant Native areas Reserves or Lots vegetation vegetation vegetation extent (ha) extent (ha) extent (ha) State 30 40,804 39,373 1003 40,375 Council (incl NR) 733 6951 4907 1236 6143 Nature Refuge 36 937 747 162 909 Covenants 1479 2024 1305 376 1681 Land for Wildlife 969 12,465 5402 2894 8296 Total 3247 63,181 51,734 5670 57,404

How well are we protecting our regional ecosystems and vegetation communities? Another important measure to understand is how much of a particular regional ecosystem’s remaining extent is protected or conserved in relation to its pre-clearing extent. A national assessment process was developed, known as the ‘Comprehensive and Adequately Represented’ system, to understand how well represented or poorly conserved a particular regional ecosystem is protected. The Sunshine Coast Council area has 24 regional ecosystems considered poorly conserved. This means less than 10% of their Sunshine Coast Council area pre-clearing extent is protected. Five of the 24 poorly conserved regional ecosystems – a wet heath, casuarina, rainforest and two eucalypt regional ecosystems have none of their remaining extents represented in protected areas.

Poorly Conserved Regional Ecosystems Melaleuca and Heath and Wallum Eucalypt Rainforest Casuarina 2 3 16 3 Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystems Regional Ecosystems

16 Map 3: Sunshine Coast Council area conservation estate

Due to privacy issues associated with the Land for Wildlife program, these properties are not shown on any maps.

Figure 2: Sunshine Coast Council area conservation estate’s native vegetation extent

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 17 Our native plants and animals Our region supports a diverse range of more than 2600 plants and 850 animals, including tropical, temperate, marine, lowland and upland species. Some of our plants and animals are considered as threatened species. Threatened species are any plant or animal species that are at risk of extinction. To drive preservation outcomes, the Queensland and Commonwealth governments have specific legislation that identifies threatened species: • the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation 1999 (EPBC). • the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA).

The Sunshine Coast Council area has 117 threatened species.

Endangered Vulnerable 53 native plant species native plant species threatened native plant species 21 32

Critically Endangered Vulnerable Endangered 64 native animal species native animal species threatened native animal species native animal species 6 20 38

Figure 3: Sunshine Coast Council area threatened animals

18 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Our habitat areas Council’s strategic biodiversity conservation planning is guided by a landscape ecology approach which seeks to maintain and improve ecological functionality and connectivity at a whole of landscape scale by: • identifying and protecting biodiversity priorities (such as core habitat areas and locally vulnerable regional ecosystems) • consolidating and expanding key conservation areas Figure 4: Core and connecting habitats • restoring areas to connect habitats. landscape ecology approach

Core and connecting habitat areas Habitat areas can be defined by the size of the vegetation patch and how connected the vegetation is, which has been influenced by the level of habitat fragmentation. Increased fragmentation is likely to result in greater interruption to habitat functionality impacting on fauna movement, dispersal, mating potential, roost sites, food resource availability and feeding regimes.

Understanding the spatial distribution and the relationship between different habitat areas and the role they play in landscape connectivity and habitat functionality is critical to biodiversity conservation network planning and the delivery of strategic biodiversity conservation outcomes.

Our habitat areas are made up of remnant and non-remnant vegetation and are classified into three broad types::

1 Core Habitat Areas (CHA) – patches of native vegetation >50ha in area

2 Core Connecting Habitat Areas (CCA) – vegetation contiguous with a CHA

3 Connecting Habitat Area (CNA) – patches of native vegetation <50ha in area.

The Sunshine Coast area has 165 CHAs with a total extent of 66,929 hectares. The largest single CHA (19,252 hectares) largely made up by the Conondale National Park in the Mary River catchment while the smallest CHA is 50.1 hectares. CCAs comprises 22,486 hectares or 18% of the Council area’s native vegetation. The Sunshine Coast area has more than 65,000 patches of CNA with a total extent of 35,457 hectares. There are more than 64,000 CNA patches <10 hectares in area comprising 10,589 hectares of the council area’s native vegetation.

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 19 Our core habitat areas The Sunshine Coast has a number of significant habitat areas each contributing valuable, and in some cases unique faunal assemblages and ecological functionality such as, species niches and home-ranges, genetic mixing, specialised food and water resources, nesting and roosting resources.

Five significant core habitat areas, one from each major river catchment, are highlighted including some of their intrinsic and irreplaceable natural values and contribution to the Sunshine Coast’s distinct landscape character.

The Doonan-Coolum Creek CHA is the 5th largest CHA at 1474 hectares in area. Located in the Maroochy River catchment this CHA forms the backbone of the Maroochy-Noosa wallum corridor and the southern portion is a major greenspace area – the Blue Heart. This CHA supports a range of important mangrove, wallum, melaleuca and casuarina vegetation communities that is habitat for the endangered ground parrot and water mouse.

The Upper Sippy Creek CHA is 1144 hectares in area making it the 8th largest core in the Council area. It is made up entirely of eucalypt and rainforest vegetation communities. These forests support some of the richest biodiversity in the Mooloolah River catchment providing important habitat for koalas, sugar gliders, multiple species of micro-bat and other arboreal mammals, along with a myriad of threatened bird and frog species including, the glossy- black cockatoo and tusk frog.

The Beerburrum-Tibrogargan CHA is 758 hectares of which the Beerburrum section of the Glass House Mountains National Park makes up 700 hectares. Home to the international renowned, world heritage listed Glass House Mountains this CHA features Mount Beerburrum and Mount Tibrogargan. This CHA supports unique biodiversity values including montane heath, eucalypt and rainforest vegetation communities providing critical habitat for the vulnerable Mount Beerwah mallee, Mount Beerwah sheoak and the Glass House Mountain teatree.

The Stanley Headwaters CHA supports some of the richest biodiversity in the Sunshine Coast Council area. Forming part of a major green space, this core contains some of the most significant rainforest areas in the region. This 950 hectare CHA provides ecological connectivity from Mount Mellum and London Creek sub-catchments wrapping around the escarpment west forming the headwaters of the catchment to Booroobin. The CHA includes a high proportion of high biodiversity rainforest vegetation communities, plants and animals including Sunshine Coast myrtle, larged-leaf silkpod, giant barred frog, koala, glossy black- cockatoo, double-eyed fig-parrot and the Richmond birdwing butterfly.

The Cambroon-Curramore CHA is the 4th largest core in the Council area at more than 2700 hectares in area. Located in the eastern headwaters of the Mary River catchment this CHA forms part of a mosaic of core habitat areas that extend from the Blackall Range and Kondalilla National Park west to the Mary River. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and one of the Council area’s highest functional biodiversity corridors that includes five of the eight rainforest regional ecosystems listed by the Commonwealth Government as critically endangered lowland rainforest. More than 75% of the CHA is protected by National Park, Council Environment Reserve and Nature Refuges providing habitat for a suite of threatened species including the giant barred frog, greater glider, brushed-tailed phascogale, koala, glossy black-cockatoo and black-breasted button-quail.

20 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Map 4: Sunshine Coast Council area core and connecting habitat areas

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 21 Our catchments’ biodiversity results

The Sunshine Coast Council area is made up of five major river catchments:

1 Maroochy River 2 Mooloolah River 3 Mary River 4 Upper Stanley River 5 Pumicestone Passage (northern portion of Bribie Island).

Map 5: Sunshine Coast Council area river catchments

22 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Maroochy River catchment Mary River catchment

Mooloolah River catchment Stanley River catchment

Noosa River catchment Approximately 1% of the Noosa River catchment occurs within the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, covering 1275 hectares of predominately rural and rural residential land surrounding the western and southern shores of Lake Weyba. Given its limited extent, the biodiversity results have not been captured in this report. The results for the Noosa River catchment can be found in the Background Pumicestone Passage catchment Technical Report.

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 23 Maroochy River catchment The Maroochy River system dominates the northern half of the Sunshine Coast Council area. It drops quickly from its headwaters in the Blackall and Mooloolah Ranges onto a large broad floodplain dominated by farmland and sugar cane paddocks before reaching the sea at Maroochydore. 99% of the Maroochy River catchment occurs within the Sunshine Coast Council area. The catchment’s most northern watershed area falls within the neighbouring Noosa Council area.

Native vegetation

Native vegetation covers 51% of the catchment area. Of the native vegetation cover 67% is remnant and 33% is non-remnant vegetation.

Table 10: Maroochy River catchment vegetation extent

Urban* area (ha) Rural area (ha) Total area (ha)

Catchment 16,387 46,756 63,143

Remnant vegetation 4023 17,636 21,659

Non-remnant vegetation 3367 7368 10,735

Combined remnant and non-remnant vegetation 7390 25,004 32,394

No vegetation 8997 21,752 30,749 *Urban includes Urban Footprint and Rural Living Areas as defined by the ShapingSEQ SEQRP 2017.

Vegetation communities

54 regional ecosystems representing all six vegetation communities. 6 Endangered, 23 Of Concern and 25 Least Concern regional ecosystems. 34% of the catchment is remnant vegetation. 17% of the catchment is non-remnant vegetation.

Table 11: Maroochy River catchment vegetation communities

Regional ecosystems Non-remnant Pre-clear Pre-clear Current Current Current Loss (%) number extent (ha) number extent (ha) extent (ha)

Catchment 55 63,143 54 21,659 65 10,735

Mangrove and Saltmarsh 2 578 2 523 10 19

Foredune 2 187 2 123 35 12

Heath and Wallum 11 1991 11 1002 50 151 Melaleuca and 6 9134 6 2385 74 930 Casuarina Eucalypt 27 42,413 26 14,936 65 7573

Vegetation communities Vegetation Rainforest 7 8166 7 2,690 77 2015

24 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Conservation estate

The conservation estate conserves 36% (11,655 ha) of the catchment’s native vegetation. The protected area’s conserve 30% of the catchment’s native vegetation. 49 regional ecosystems and all six vegetation communities are represented in the conservation estate. 20,739 hectares of native vegetation in the catchment is unprotected.

Table 12: Maroochy River catchment conservation estate Vegetation extent (ha) Number of Conservation areas Total Area (ha) Remnant Non-remnant Native Reserves or Lots

State 15 6584 6402 113 6515

Council (incl NR) 350 2710 1943 400 2343

Nature Refuge 5 66402161

Covenants 1023 716 489 161 650

Land for Wildlife 440 2895 1383 703 2086

Total 1833 12,971 10,257 1398 11,655

Flora and fauna

41 threatened plant species. 40 threatened animal species.

Figure 5: Maroochy River catchment threatened animals

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 25 Mooloolah River catchment The Mooloolah River is a relatively small river, with its headwaters in the Mooloolah Range. The River winds through rainforest and natural bushland, agricultural and grazing lands, and urban development. The lower reaches have been modified for canal estates and a marina, supporting intensive boating, fishing and tourism activities. The Mooloolah River catchment occurs entirely within the Sunshine Coast Council area.

Native vegetation

Native vegetation covers 53% of the catchment area. Of the native vegetation cover 70% is remnant and 30% is non-remnant. Almost half (48%) of the catchment has an urban zoning.

Table 13: Mooloolah River catchment vegetation extent

Urban* area (ha) Rural area (ha) Total area (ha)

Catchment 10,795 11,512 22,307

Remnant vegetation 2150 6160 8310

Non-remnant vegetation 1723 1824 3547

Combined remnant and non-remnant vegetation 3873 7984 11,857

No vegetation 6922 3528 10,450 *Urban includes Urban Footprint and Rural Living Areas as defined by the ShapingSEQ SEQRP 2017.

Vegetation communities

38 regional ecosystems representing all six vegetation communities. One regional ecosystem has been lost from the catchment 12.12.19x2 (wallum). 4 Endangered, 13 Of Concern and 21 Least Concern regional ecosystems. 38% of the catchment is remnant vegetation and 16% of the catchment is non-remnant vegetation. Two thirds of the catchment’s remnant vegetation are eucalypt vegetation communities.

Table 14: Mooloolah River catchment vegetation communities

Regional ecosystems Non-remnant Pre-clear Pre-clear Current Current Current Loss (%) number extent (ha) number extent (ha) extent (ha)

Catchment 39 22,159 38 8310 62 3547

Mangrove and Saltmarsh 2121273402

Foredune 21692864920

Heath and Wallum 10 2684 9 626 77 171 Melaleuca and 6 3,807 6 1126 70 397 Casuarina Eucalypt 16 13,062 16 5498 58 2481

Vegetation communities Vegetation Rainforest 3 2316 3 901 61 474

26 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Conservation estate

The conservation estate conserves 41% (4833 ha) of the catchment’s native vegetation. The protected area conserves 33% of the catchments native vegetation. 36 regional ecosystems and all six vegetation communities are represented in the conservation estate. 7025 hectares of native vegetation in the catchment is unprotected.

Table 15: Mooloolah River catchment conservation estate Vegetation extent (ha) Number of Conservation areas Total Area (ha) Remnant Non-remnant Native Reserves or Lots

State 7 2100 2027 61 6515

Council (incl NR) 197 1737 1193 296 2343

Nature Refuge 48370961

Covenants 385 307 236 59 650

Land for Wildlife 123 1237 604 277 881

Total 716 5464 4130 703 4833

Flora and fauna

31 threatened plant species. 36 threatened animal species.

Figure 6: Mooloolah River catchment threatened animals

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 27 Pumicestone Passage catchment The Ramsar-listed Pumicestone Passage is a long, tidal waterway, enclosed between the mainland and Bribie Island. The Passage receives inflows from a network of creeks (Bells, Halls, Coochin and Coonowrin) which have their headwaters in the D’Aguilar Range, and passes through native bush, forestry, pine plantations, grazing, horticulture and urban areas. Approximately 60% or more than 45,700 hectares of the Pumicestone Passage catchment (including the northern portion of Bribie Island) occurs within the Sunshine Coast Council area.

Native vegetation

Native vegetation covers 38% of the catchment area. Of the native vegetation cover 74% is remnant and 26% is non-remnant vegetation. Lowest proportion of native vegetation cover of the three Sunshine Coast coastal catchments.

Table 16: Pumicestone Passage catchment vegetation extent

Urban* area (ha) Rural area (ha) Total area (ha)

Catchment 10,693 35,062 45,755

Remnant vegetation 1582 11,135 12,717

Non-remnant vegetation 1333 3127 4460

Combined remnant and non-remnant vegetation 2915 14,262 17,177

No vegetation 7778 20,800 28,578 *Urban includes Urban Footprint and Rural Living Areas as defined by the ShapingSEQ SEQRP 2017.

Vegetation communities

37 regional ecosystems representing all six vegetation communities. One RE has been lost from the catchment 12.5.9 (wallum). 4 Endangered, 13 Of Concern and 17 Least Concern regional ecosystems. 28% of the catchment is remnant vegetation and 10% of the catchment is non-remnant vegetation. Melaleuca and eucalypt vegetation communities make up nearly 80% of the remaining remnant vegetation.

Table 17: Pumicestone Passage catchment vegetation communities

Regional ecosystems Non-remnant Pre-clear Pre-clear Current Current Current Loss (%) number extent (ha) number extent (ha) extent (ha)

Catchment 38 43,572 37 12,717 71 4460

Mangrove and Saltmarsh 2 1630 2 1510 7 34

Foredune 2 253 2 106 58 21

Heath and Wallum 9 3263 8 991 70 187

Melaleuca and Casuarina 8 14,447 8 4669 68 1957

Eucalypt 14 23,721 14 5295 78 2148

Vegetation communities Vegetation Rainforest 3 258 3 147 43 65

28 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Conservation estate

Conservation estate conserves 41% (7048 ha) of the catchment’s native vegetation. Protected area conserves 38% of the catchment’s native vegetation. 34 of the catchment’s 37 regional ecosystems are in the conservation estate. All six vegetation communities are represented in the conservation estate.

Table 18: Pumicestone Passage catchment conservation estate Vegetation extent (ha) Number of Conservation areas Total Area (ha) Remnant Non-remnant Native Reserves or Lots

State 5 5777 4880 603 5484

Council (incl NR) 123 1137 875 179 1054

Nature Refuge 21211011

Covenants 55 62 54 6 60

Land for Wildlife 52 595 317 121 439

Total 237 7582 6138 910 7048

Flora and fauna

24 threatened plant species. 38 threatened animal species.

Figure 7: Pumicestone Passage catchment threatened animals

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 29 Mary River catchment The Mary River is one of the most environmentally and economically diverse catchments in Queensland, supporting a range of activities including agriculture and tourism. Its headwaters are in the Conondale and Blackall Ranges and it flows northwards for hundreds of kilometres to the Great Sandy Strait, influencing the coastal environment of Hervey Bay and ultimately the Coral Sea. Large areas of the catchment are protected natural areas and support several iconic threatened species – notably the Mary River cod, Mary River turtle and Queensland lungfish. Approximately one sixth or 84,771 hectares of the Mary River catchment occurs within the Sunshine Coast Council area.

Native vegetation

Native vegetation covers 66% of catchment area. Of the native vegetation cover 80% is remnant vegetation and 20% is non-remnant vegetation. The Mary River catchment contributes 45% of the LGA’s native vegetation.

Table 19: Mary River catchment vegetation extent

Urban* area (ha) Rural area (ha) Total area (ha)

Catchment 1414 83,356 84,771

Remnant vegetation 70 44,957 45,027

Non-remnant vegetation 456 10,685 11,141

Combined remnant and non-remnant vegetation 526 55,642 56,168

No vegetation 888 27,714 28,602

*Urban includes Urban Footprint and Rural Living Areas as defined by the ShapingSEQ SEQRP 2017.

Vegetation communities

38 regional ecosystems representing four vegetation communities. 2 Endangered, 16 Of Concern and 19 Least Concern regional ecosystems. 53% of the catchment is remnant vegetation and 13% of the catchment is non-remnant vegetation. Eucalypt and rainforest vegetation communities make up nearly 99% of the remaining remnant vegetation. Nine regional ecosystems are found only in the Mary River catchment.

Table 20: Mary River catchment vegetation communities

Regional ecosystems Non-remnant Pre-clear Current Pre-clear Current Current extent extent Loss (%) number number extent (ha) (ha) (ha)

Catchment 38 84,771 38 45,027 47 11,141

Heath and Wallum 1801739 0.2

Melaleuca and Casuarina 4 1114 4 547 51 193

Eucalypt 24 57,827 24 32,531 44 6749 Vegetation Vegetation communities Rainforest 9 25,750 9 11,875 54 4197

30 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Conservation estate

Conservation estate conserves 56% (31,679 ha) of the catchment’s native vegetation. Protected area conserves 48% of the catchments native vegetation. 34 regional ecosystems and all four vegetation communities are represented in the conservation estate. 24,489 hectares of native vegetation in the catchment is unprotected.

Table 21: Mary River catchment conservation estate Vegetation extent (ha) Number of Conservation areas Total Area (ha) Remnant Non-remnant Native Reserves or Lots

State 5 25,508 25,250 211 25,462

Council (incl NR) 60 916 611 196 807

Nature Refuge 23 675 545 112 657

Covenants 387 783 420 106 526

Land for Wildlife 319 6774 2703 1525 4228

Total 794 34,656 29,529 2150 31,679

Flora and fauna

31 threatened plant species. 31 threatened animal species.

Figure 8: Mary River catchment threatened animals

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 31 Upper Stanley River catchment The Stanley River headwaters are located in the Great Dividing Range and the Conondale Range, where large areas of land remain in a relatively natural state. The catchment contributes substantially to Brisbane’s water supply through its impoundment at Somerset Dam. Catchment size: 11,224 hectares.

Native vegetation

Native vegetation covers 57% of the catchment area. 66% is remnant vegetation and 34% is non-remnant vegetation. High proportion of non-remnant vegetation (33%) compared to other catchments.

Table 22: Upper Stanley River catchment vegetation extent

Urban* area (ha) Rural area (ha) Total area (ha)

Catchment 535 10,689 11,224

Remnant vegetation 97 4134 4231

Non-remnant vegetation 182 1997 2179

Combined remnant and non-remnant vegetation 279 6131 6410

No vegetation 256 4558 4814 *Urban includes Urban Footprint and Rural Living Areas as defined by the ShapingSEQ SEQRP 2017.

Vegetation communities

23 regional ecosystems representing four vegetation communities. 2 endangered, 10 Of Concern and 11 Least Concern regional ecosystems. 37% of the catchment area is remnant vegetation. Eucalypt and rainforest vegetation communities make up 99% of the remaining remnant vegetation. One regional ecosytem has been lost from the catchment 12.5.6c (Eucalypt).

Table 23: Upper Stanley River catchment vegetation communities

Regional ecosystems Non-remnant Pre-clear Current Pre-clear Current Current extent extent Loss (%) number number extent (ha) (ha) (ha)

Catchment 24 11,200 23 4230 62 2180

Heath and Wallum 2112110 0

Melaleuca and Casuarina 11521278284

Eucalypt 16 8315 15 3047 63 1506 Vegetation Vegetation communities Rainforest 5 2746 5 1146 58 590

32 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Conservation estate

Conservation estate conserves 26% (1679 ha) of the catchment’s native vegetation. Protected area conserves 16% of the catchments native vegetation. 17 regional ecosystems with heath, eucalypt and rainforest vegetation communities represented. 4730 hectares of native vegetation in the catchment is unprotected.

Table 24: Upper Stanley River catchment conservation estate Vegetation extent (ha) Number of Conservation areas Total Area (ha) Remnant Non-remnant Native Reserves or Lots

State 2 483 463 14 477

Council (incl NR) 17 364 244 112 356

Nature Refuge 4 85641984

Covenants 29 130 92 34 126

Land for Wildlife 59 936 373 264 637

Total 111 1998 1236 443 1679

Flora and fauna

22 threatened plant species. 13 threatened animal species.

Figure 9: Upper Stanley River catchment threatened animals

Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 33 Glossary

Report terminology Definitions Biodiversity Biodiversity—the variety of plants, animals, micro-organisms and ecosystems that constitute our living environment— is not static; it is constantly changing. It can be increased by genetic change and evolutionary processes, and it can be reduced by threats which lead to population decline and extinction. Catchment A drainage basin is any area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet, such as into a river, bay, or other body of water. Conservation estate Includes land parcels with legally binding protection mechanisms as well as land parcels with voluntary intent to preserve the environmental values contained within. Conservation status Described under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 and is a measure of a regional ecosystems loss and subsequent level of vulnerability based on current extent relative to its pre-European extent. Critically A critically endangered species is one that has been categorised by the International endangered Union for Conservation of Nature and subsequently under the EPBC 1999 as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Endangered Under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992, a regulation may prescribe native wildlife as endangered wildlife if: a there have not been thorough searches conducted for the wildlife and the wildlife has not been seen in the wild over a period that is appropriate for the life cycle or form of the wildlife b the habitat or distribution of the wildlife has been reduced to an extent that the wildlife may be in danger of extinction c the population size of the wildlife has declined, or is likely to decline, to an extent that the wildlife may be in danger of extinction d the survival of the wildlife in the wild is unlikely if a threatening process continues Environment Levy Refers to a levy raised by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council (in accordance with section 971 of the Queensland Local Government Act 2009), on all rateable properties within the jurisdiction, in order to assist with environmental protection and management. EPBC Act The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places – defined in the EPBC Act as matters of national environmental significance. Fine-scale Fine-scale vegetation (woody vegetation) was identified from a dataset produced by the vegetation (FSV) Sunshine Coast Council generated using a combination of Aerial Laser Survey (LiDAR), Vegetation Index (NDVI), infra-red and aerial photography. It captures much of the vegetation outside the mapped blocks of vegetation through the regional ecosystem mapping. This report also refers to this data set as ‘non-remnant vegetation’ layer. Land for Wildlife Land for Wildlife is a free, voluntary conservation program that supports participants in program protecting, enhancing and rehabilitating native flora and fauna on their property. Land for Wildlife registration does not alter the legal status of a property, convey the right of public access, nor represent an official wildlife sanctuary. Landscape ecology The science of studying and improving relationships between ecological processes in the environment and particular ecosystems. This is done within a variety of landscape scales, development spatial patterns, and organizational levels of research and policy. Least concern Under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992, a regulation may prescribe native wildlife as least concern wildlife if the wildlife is common or abundant and is likely to survive in the wild.

34 Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Report 2020 Report terminology Definitions Local Government The area defined by the Queensland Boundary Commissioner as being the Sunshine Area (LGA) Coast Council area. Native vegetation Is a combination dataset made up of state and council vegetation mapping datasets. Nature Refuge A nature refuge is a voluntary agreement between a landholder and the Queensland Government. A nature refuge agreement acknowledges a commitment to protect land with significant conservation value, while allowing compatible and sustainable land uses to continue. NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992 is the Queensland government’s central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage state, nationally and internationally important flora, fauna and ecological communities. Non-remnant Council developed local vegetation mapping derived from LiDAR and geo-processing vegetation technology. Of Concern A regional ecosystem is listed as 'of concern' under the Act if: remnant vegetation is 10– 30% of its pre-clearing extent across the bioregion; or. more than 30% of its pre-clearing extent remains and the remnant extent is less than 10,000ha. Pre-clearing regional Pre-clearing vegetation is defined by the Vegetation Management Act 1999 (amended ecosystem 2009) and depicted by the Queensland Herbarium’s regional ecosystem mapping as the vegetation present before clearing Protected estate The protected estate includes land parcel tenures that have a legal protection mechanism and/or gazettal applied to ensure a level of environmental conservation on the title and over the lot. Regional Ecosystem Queensland Government’s native vegetation mapping methodology developed by Sattler and Williams (1999) and maintained by the Queensland Herbarium. Updated versions of the dataset are released periodically. Remnant vegetation As defined under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 regional ecosystems. Rural For the purposes of the Biodiversity Report Rural as defined under the ShapingSEQ - South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017 and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 as those areas outside of a rural and rural residential zoned area Statutory Covenant A statutory covenant is a legally binding written agreement entered into by the landowner to protect, preserve and often enhance environmental features on private property. They can also be used to better control built form or development on private properties. Threatened Threatened ecological community is a term used in Australia for ecosystems that are in ecological danger of being lost due to some threatening process. For example, at a federal level communities threatened ecological communities are identified and protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Threatened plants Native plants and animals consideration at risk of serious decline or even extinction. These and animals are typically listed under relevant commonwealth or state legislation. The key threats to species are loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat, invasive species and altered fire regimes Other threats include unsustainable use and management of natural resources, changes to the aquatic environment and water flows and climate change Urban For the purposes of the Biodiversity Report Urban includes Urban Footprint and Rural Living Areas as defined by the ShapingSEQ - South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017 and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 and are those areas where residential, commercial and industrial development and subdivision is permissible. T [email protected] www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au Locked Bag72SunshineCoastMailCentreQld4560 0754757272 snhncatoni cuclc @sunshinecoastcouncil @councilscc @sunshinecoastcouncil F 0754757277

200018G 09/20. Printed on environmentally responnsibls e stock.